THE EVOLUTION OF MOTORCYCLE SAFETY

Ever wondered what the different motorcycle safety laws out there are, and how they first came to be? Or how many billions of miles have been driven by motorcycles since the 1960’s? Did you know that only recently, it was required to have directional lights on your motorcycle? Well, check out the info graphic below to follow how motorcycle safety laws slowly evolved from the day motorcycles were first invented in 1883 to the present-and remember, always ride safe!

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Have you heard about Zero motorcycles? Zero motorcycles, is a fairly new company based in the US, that manufactures electric motorcycles. I’m not talking about those little scooters that are made in China, that you usually see restaurant delivery boys whizzing around traffic with-especially in different parts of NYC. Looking at the company website, the bikes that they manufacture look pretty bad ass. They have 5 models right now, which include a “Streetfighter,” a motocross bike, an “Urban Crosser”, and a dual sport bike. Prices range from roughly $9,000 and up.

The all new 2013 Zero S, is a big step up from its predecessor. It features 54 horsepower and 68 lb-ft of torque. The motor and battery are an all new design. The brush-less electric motor is maintenance-free and air cooled which means it does not require liquid cooling, so that means less plumbing, and as an added plus, it shaves some weight off the motorcycle as well. There is also no clutch and no gears, making it simple to use for novice riders. The Zero S weighs 355 pounds-similar to the weight of a 250cc-class sport bike. Once running, you can select one of two options- Sport or Eco mode. What the bike lacks though is in its braking system, as it does not come with ABS, however, it will be available in the 2016 model.

Looks are important, and in that category, it ranks pretty high. It has a sleek frame design which blends nicely with its black mirrors and clear turn signals.

Performance wise, it can reach a top speed on 95mph, however at that speed and for a significant amount of time, the battery does tend to drain quicker than normal. The Zero S has a range of 64 miles combined highway/city on a full charge. Charging ranges from 6hrs to 3hrs based on whether you have the quick-charge accessory or not. The typical cost to recharge the bike comes to an amazing 90 cents. A full charge is equivalent to 463mpg city and 236mpg highway. With gas prices going up the way they’ve been, it makes sense from an economic perspective.

Finally, it comes in at a starting price of $13,995. A little high for its class, but it pretty much pays for itself from all the money you save from not having to fill up at the gas station. Plus, all you eco nuts get to feel proud that your not polluting the environment.

Overall, its got a lot of pros and a few things they still need to work on, but it definitely is an impressive piece of machinery.